Writers Tears Double Oak

19th and early 20th century Ireland was a golden era both for Irish whiskey and, perhaps coincidentally, for great Irish novelists, poets and playwrights. Ireland was then the leading whiskey producing nation in the world and the birthplace of literary giants, including writers such as George Bernard Shaw, Oscar Wilde, W.B. Yeats, Lady Gregory, James Joyce, Samuel Beckett and Bram Stoker, to name but a few.

Bernard and Rosemary Walsh created the Hot Irishman Limited in 1999, with the desire to blend and bottle the perfect Irish Coffee recipe. Expanding upon its success, in 2005 the couple attempted to rival the big Irish cream liqueur brands by creating a recipe that brought things back to basics, with The Irishman Irish Cream liqueur, made using 100% Irish dairy cream and premium Irish whiskey.

However, it wasn’t until 2006 that the Walsh’s began to venture head-on into the world of whisky, when they signed a long-term supply agreement with Irish Distillers – the Whiskey Supply Agreement - allowing for the distilling and laying down of Irish whiskey stock to its specifications. This facilitated the 2007 launch of The Irishman Whiskey, the first singular whiskey released by Walsh, which was followed in 2009 by Writers Tears.

Double Oak

Writers’ Tears Double Oak, is a blend of the two premium whiskey styles aged in two types of wood – American and French Oak. It is triple-distilled, non-chill filtered (according to the Walsh Distillery website though not stated on the bottle) and bottled at 46% ABV. The new expression is made possible by a close collaboration between the Walsh family in Ireland’s County Carlow and the Legaret family in Cognac, France.

Double Oak is the third core expression in the Writers’ Tears range which includes the Copper Pot and Cask Strength versions. It is the 14th expression in the wider Walsh Whiskey portfolio, including the extended Writers’ Tears and The Irishman ranges.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Spiced and stewed orchard fruits, lots of sweet and earthy vanilla pod with a side of pear crumble.

Palate: Juicy white stone fruits, lychee and lemon peel with a hint of grape skin dryness.

Finish: Rich and aromatic spiced dark chocolate.